 JOHNNY PYE & THE FOOLKILLER
Music by Randy Courts, Book by Mark St. Germain, Lyrics by Randy Courts
and Mark St. Germain
Based on the story by Stephen Vincent Benét
Lamb's Theatre, Off-Broadway - October 31, 1993 (49 perfs)
STORY:
Johnny is alone in the world when the Foolkiller, a Grim Napa type
character, "collects" his father Mr. Pye. Although the townspeople try
to find someone to took after him, Johnny ends up running away, fleeing
Martinsville and the Foolkiller but not before he promises to write to
his childhood sweetheart, Suzy. Johnny moves from career to career - from
doctor to artist to preacher - before joining the army. Johnny continues
to encounter the Foolkiller during his travels, and while fighting in
World War II, the Foolkiller almost claims him. Instead, however, he leaves
Johnny with a riddle, "How can a man be a human being and not a fool?"
If Johnny can solve it, the Foolkiller will let him live forever.
Johnny rises from his sick bed and hurries back to Martinsville just
in time to prevent Suzy from marrying Wilbur Wilberforce, an old rival
for Suzy's affections. Instead, Johnny and Suzy marry, and Wilbur is out
of the picture.
Life with Suzy is wonderful and they are raising a family, but Johnny
puzzles over the Foolkiller's riddle. He is unable to come up with an
answer, and, as time passes, must see the deaths of his oldest son and
Suzy. Eventually in his old age Johnny becomes friends with Wilbur, who
inadvertently provides him with a clue to the riddle Johnny has so long
been trying to solve. When the Foolkiller comes for him, Johnny has the
answer but it provides him with little comfort, and Johnny lets the Foolkiller
take him, so that he can be reunited with his beloved Suzy.
|
